The Essex County Budget - Your Response?

Essex County Council is going to make savings of nearly £100million next year without raising its share of council tax.

Council leaders are aiming to balance the budget by making back office savings, but there will be job losses as well.

You have your chance to give your opinions on what they are proposing, as Council Leader Peter Martin and Deputy Leader David Finch will be hosting a live web chat on the Essex County Council website.

It is taking place on Friday 11th February between 12.30pm and 1.30pm at www.essex.gov.uk/webchat and residents will be able to ask questions and receive answers directly.

The conversation will be held over an hour and the questions and answers will be visible for all to see, so Essex County Council is also encouraging residents to send us their questions via Twitter @Essex_CC before the webchat begins.

Leader of Essex County Council, Peter Martin said: "This is a chance for residents to visit our website and speak directly with David Finch and me about the issues that matter to them."

"This year's budget is going to be one of the toughest local government has experienced for a long time, and Essex County Council is facing very challenging decisions in order to meet the savings we need to make."

"It is important that we communicate with our residents and answer their questions in order to reassure them that the council will protect services as much as possible."

County Councillor David Finch, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member with responsibility for Finance said: "This is a new way of communicating with Essex residents and I hope people visit the website and tell us what they think."

"We will be able to answer your questions and take into account your views. The more people that come online to talk to us, the better."